Maybe it was because every pharmacy, grocery store or quintessential cafe I walked into was a complete eXpLoSiOn of synthetic teddy bears, age-old chocolate and discount pantyhose.

Wonder what holiday is comin up.

No idea.

Couldn’t tell ya.

Or.

Maybe it was because, according to my nifty calendar, this boomerang of a holiday was apparently just around the riverbend.

Like so.

And as any normal girl, guy, or person with a face that stands witness to stacks of precious presents and pre-packaged pantyhose, I wondered why in the hell we all gave so many damns about this one, fantastically-famous February day.

(Side note: do people even say the word “peeps” anymore? Is that still a thing outside of demonic easter candy? Whatever. It happened. ONWARD.)

Here’s the thing.

Whether you’ve got someone. Had someone. Or in that awkward limbo that was just so uncomfortably timed:

Yep.

This damn day forces you to default to one, if not ALL of these passionate peeps. (LET THE WORD HAPPEN)

Makes you think about it. Wonder about it. And gives your mind an extra excuse to place emphasis on someone you concentrate your brain cells on anyway.

Whether it’s a joy, pain or curiosity, the countdown to the day and ON the day causes an internal and infatuating cycle of thoughts ranging from “I remember how things used to be” to “I like this person a whole hell of a lot” to “You. In the corner. You look single and lonely. Let’s celebrate.” all adding up and dividing to a mutual middle-ground feeling of:

K.

2. A Tricky Test

Calling all men:

This way guys.

True.

Chances are good you’re on the phone with a florist on one hand (with a groupon coupon, YOU ANIMAL) whilst typing like a mad man to make fancy schmizancy dinner reservations with the other.